pros and cons

i came to think of the good and bad sides of running. obviously the majority of the things i have gained and experienced and continue doing so through moving my feet are positive -- to name but a few, i have a guaranteed and cheap way to keep my head straight(er), i am in a good physical condition which makes life overall much easier, i have seen a bunch of interesting things and places i would have not seen otherwise -- this applies especially to running when travelling to new locations --, my endurance and ability to focus have improved (outside the act of running itself as well) and, perhaps above all, running long distances has given to me such knowledge about my body and mind and how they work  i doubt i would have even the faintest clue about had i not started running. 

and the bad sides?

obviously they must be there as well. but now, as i'm writing this, they are much more difficult to come up with, and when i do, i immediately find a way to justify and lessen them -- not surprising, someone might say. 

but let's see -- for me, the worst thing to come along is the pain i at times feel. i'm not talking about the mild muscle pain that one might experience after a 30km run or even the blisters  under your toe nails after a marathon; these are great (the blisters not so much but you get the point). i mean the kind of pain that prevents you from running, at times even from walking properly; the pain you get when there is something broken or seriously agitated in you. this pain is not a negative issue because of the pain itself, of course, but because of the outcome of it  -- an anxious, frustrated and easily annoyed human being thanks to the deprivation from running and the excruciating knowledge you brought about it on yourself. other forms of exercise exist, naturally, but it is always the next best thing; anyone who shares my passion for running knows exactly what i mean.

so the worst side of running is not being able to run? i'm sure that makes sense on some level.